Infusion beverage product comprising co-agglomerated creamer and sweetener suitable for bag and filter pack brewing

Abstract

The present invention relates to an infusion product for making a beverage comprising an infusible material and a soluble additive material packaged in an infusion bag, wherein the soluble additive material comprises a co-agglomerate of a creamer base and a sweetener base. The present invention also relates to a process for making an infusion product comprising packaging an infusion material and a co-agglomerate of a creamer base and a sweetener base in an infusion bag. The present invention further relates to a method of preparing an individual serving of a beverage such as coffee, tea or the like, comprising immersing in a receptacle of hot water such an infusion product.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An infusion package for making a beverage comprising an infusible dry beverage making substance containing water soluble extractable solids and a water soluble additive material, both packaged in a water permeable infusion bag, wherein the soluble additive material comprises a dry steam agglomerated co-agglomerate of a particulate, dairy or non-dairy creamer and a particulate, natural or artificial sweetener wherein the co-agglomerate has a bulk density in the range from about 0.3 g/cc to about 0.7 g/cc. 
     
     
       2. A method of preparing a beverage comprising contacting the infusion package of claim 1 with hot water for a time sufficient to form said beverage. 
     
     
       3. The infusion package of claim 1, wherein said infusible substance comprises coffee or tea. 
     
     
       4. The infusion package of claim 3, wherein said sweetener comprises a natural sweetener. 
     
     
       5. The infusion package of claim 3, wherein said sweetener comprises an artificial sweetener. 
     
     
       6. The infusion package of claim 3, wherein said soluble additive material further comprises a thickening agent. 
     
     
       7. The infusion package of claim 3, wherein said infusible substance comprises ground coffee. 
     
     
       8. A method of preparing a beverage comprising contacting the infusion package of claim 7 with hot water for a time sufficient to form said beverage. 
     
     
       9. The infusion package of claim 7, wherein said sweetener comprises a natural sweetener. 
     
     
       10. The infusion package of claim 9, wherein said sweetener comprises an artificial sweetener. 
     
     
       11. A method of preparing a beverage comprising contacting the infusion package of claim 9 with hot water for a time sufficient to form said beverage. 
     
     
       12. The infusion package of claim 3, wherein said soluble additive material further comprises soluble coffee. 
     
     
       13. The infusion package of claim 12, wherein said soluble additive material further comprises a thickening agent. 
     
     
       14. A process for preparing an infusion package useful for making a beverage, said process comprising: a) steam agglomerating a particulate, dairy or non-dairy creamer and a particulate, natural or artificial sweetener to form a co-agglomerate of the creamer and the sweetener having a bulk density ranging from about 0.3 g/cc to about 0.7 g/cc,   b) mixing the co-agglomerate of step a) with an infusible dry beverage making substance containing-water soluble extractable solids, and   c) packaging the mixture of step b) in a water permeable infusion bag.   
     
     
       15. The process of claim 14, wherein said infusible substance is coffee or tea. 
     
     
       16. The process of claim 15, wherein said sweetener comprises a natural sweetener. 
     
     
       17. The process of claim 15, wherein said sweetener comprises an artificial sweetener.